declawing cat ?

I know, I know...I have always heard this is very cruel...and I actually signed something when I adopted my cat that I would never declaw her...but things are getting very bad with her...I'm not talking furniture...I'm talking about my skin...

she is the meanest cat (siamese) and turns on you at any second...you could be petting her very nicely...it looks like she is enjoying it and then she attacks you...

I have really taken all I can with her...and as much as i love her...i have been rently having thoughts about getting rid of her

I could never have her around kids...

so please tell me your honest opinions about declawing...I'm at my wits end...

I know that Siamese cats are mean but maybe she has a health issue. Lots of times when animals are sick then tend to lash out at the ones they love (not unlike humans I guess!)

I would bring her to the vet...let the vet check her out and then let the vet explain to you the pros and cons of declawing the cat.

My sister has hers done at 6 months old (still a baby) and her cat seems to be ok. Maybe an older cat would have problems with that!

NO!!!! I feel it's mean. I know Vets say otherwise- but how do they really know- that's why it's illegal in some places.

Check out www.softpaws.com

That's what I use on my cats.

There is a new declawing procedure that uses lasers. Generally it's more expensive, but it's a million times less painful than standard declawing practices. Your cat doesnt even have to stay overnight or anything, just a few hours. In addition to it being nearly pain-free, it's also supposed to have almost an immediate healing time (due to the lasers sealing up the wound right away... no bandages or anything). So if you really want to get it done, I would suggest lasers! Especially if your kitty is older. Traditional declawing procedures are easier to tolerate if you have a kitten. Older cats would probably be better off with the laser treatment. Two of our cats are older and not declawed... but our youngest cat is declawed (he was when we got him, we didnt do it) and it is SO much nicer having him declawed. It makes a huge difference.

Good luck to you and your cat!!

My cats are declawed. They are both strays and i feel quite confident that no matter how cruel people tell me it is, their lives are 10000x better in my house (complete with meals, warm beds, treats and owners who love them) than on the streets. And i would simply not have cats if it meant they were going to ruin my stuff.

I consider my pets ANIMALS - not people. The surgery to declaw may be horrible to think about but its for the greater good. Much like removing the genetalia of a animal seems cruel at first thought, its for their own good as well as their owners convienence.

PS: When my first cat was younger, he was horrible. He would hide under couches and tables and then attack (i know he was just playing but it didnt make a difference) everyones legs. It would HURT and scratch deep, rip clothing, etc.

she is a stray as well...AND deaf...so she will NEVER be outside (she did escape once, but was confronted with a huge dog...and she has NO desire to go out again...)

she had a checkup in the summer and she is healthy...

she has been pretty mean her whole life (or time with me 3 of her 6 years), but she clawed the hell out of me last night and I was so frustrated...probably b/c we left her for the weekend...but it happens when we don't leave her too...

if it was playing I'd feel better...but its not...shes got a screw loose or something...

this lasar idea is appelaing...i am definitely going to look into it...

I agonized over this decision and declawed my cat. In the end I realized it would be better for all of us. I could just see a few years from now the cat scratching my child....the cat would either be gone... or left away from the family. THat would kill me...i love my cat more than anything and this way I never have to worry.

I signed something too that I wouldnt declaw...but FI and I decided it was the right thing to do for our family. Besides...she is absolutely perfect...affectionate, loving and playful...the declawing didnt affect her.

How old is the cat?

I had both my cats declawed when they were little and they had no issues with it at all. You just have to be very careful that they never get out or are exposed to any other animals with claws.

shes 6...and that makes me nervous...she is also deaf and partially blind...so I am nervous about any procedure and her...


she will never go outside b/c of her lack of hearing...so besides the dog...she doesn't meet other animals...


DH and I are liking the laser idea...I only need her front claws...b/c the back aren't bad...Luna...do you know how expensive it is?

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Posted by LizD

You just have to be very careful that they never get out or are exposed to any other animals with claws.

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That's not necessarily true. I have 3 cats and only 1 of them is declawed, and they are totally fine. If it is a stranger (an animal that your pet doesnt already know) then I can see how you should be careful. But when we got our declawed cat, he was a kitten, and was introduced to two big fat fully clawed cats and he's never had a scratch on him!

Erica, I think the laser surgery depends on where you get it done. At the place I looked into (in my town) it was about $400 per cat. My friend had her cat done in Virginia and it was only $100. So I guess you can try to price compare... as long as they all do the same procedure I think it's fine to shop around.

I just don't know how I feel about the amputation of a cat's 'knuckle'.. how about this procedure?

Tendonotomy - Surgical procedure, not new but currently in vogue. Prevents extrusion of the claws and scratching. Reputed to be more humane, less painful than declawing but requires clipping the nails every two to four months so they don't grow long and catch on things.

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Posted by Sassyz75

I just don't know how I feel about the amputation of a cat's 'knuckle'.. how about this procedure?

Tendonotomy - Surgical procedure, not new but currently in vogue. Prevents extrusion of the claws and scratching. Reputed to be more humane, less painful than declawing but requires clipping the nails every two to four months so they don't grow long and catch on things.

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If it was simply a removal of the nails, I could stand behind it...but I'm with Sassy - declawing is the removal of bone as well.

That Tendonotomy procedure sounds like a good alternative. I've never heard of it before...

FI declaws cats ALL the time, and honestly, that cats are very comfortable after the surgery, he gives them PLENTY of pain medication, they don't feel a thing, they just mostly sleep. I always go to the hospital to visit him and the declawed cats are just chillin' with their paws bandaged, or sleeping. I've NEVER seen a cat in any pain. Now, maybe some vets aren't generous with pain medication, that's something you'll have to talk over with your vet.

Also, some people just declaw the front paws and not the backs.

If it's an issue of you getting shredded, I would declaw in a second.

FI declawed our own cat too.

He's not home right now, but if you'd like, when he does get home, I can FM you his exact opinion on it, and detailed information to help you make a more informed decision.

Good Luck

How is declawing a cat any less human than having it fixed? Are they not both surgeries removing some part of the cats body? The tendon operation seems more risky based on the seriousness of a tendon operation in humans..but perhaps its different?

I think the mention of bandages is above...my cats came home the next day without bandages or anything. They were a little groggy from being the drugs they gave them the day before but they were perfectly fine and in no pain that I could perceive. There were also no bandages, just very small scabs where the cuts had been.

This topic re: amputation of the cat's knuckle also can be related to ALL the Doberman's or dogs who get their tails docked (cut), and their ears cut (to get them to stand up straight...same with German shepards. Of course it's done as puppies, under anesthesia with a lot of pain medicine.

Many puppies get their little thumb cut right off them by breeders (who are interested in showing the animals or keeping the line 'good'), after a few days old, with no anesthesia. However, I've heard of a few dogs who have really injured themselves by getting that dueclaw (sp?) caught in carpets, etc.

I think the above with dogs are all extreme and I don't agree with it because it's not for function (like not having a cat rip your apart), but for looks. I think if it's a necessity, there's nothing wrong with declawing your cat. But I do understand people feeling differntly than I do, it sounds like a horrendous procedure, but it really isn't.

To tell you the truth, I don't know if FI docs tails, I know he's not thrilled with it...I'll have to ask him.

Kathy--Can you let me know where your FH works?? I need a good vet! Please FM me!! Thanks.

FM